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Star-Telegram Op-Ed: Trains are the ideal stimulus
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
In a brilliant op-ed piece Monday in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Spending on rail would be a wise move, Andrew Warren makes the strong case that investments in commuter train systems represent an ideal form of economic stimulus, one that “generates multiple short-term and long-range benefits.” He hits on the necessarily domestically-sourced labor that would be put to work in a wide range of professions designing, building, and operating the systems, the environmental and energy efficiency benefits of trains, and the superior land use effects versus highway construction. He ends the column with this fine point on what’s worth our taxpayer money:
We could give tax breaks or refunds to be spent on Chinese shoes, Thai clothes and Korean TVs. Or we can invest in a better, cleaner, more secure future and create American jobs at the same time. Washington should fund this national security program that stimulates our economy and protects our environment.
This is essential reading as Congress and President-Elect Obama consider the optimal, most efficient uses of public funds in an economic stimulus package.
—Matthew Melzer
Posted by NARP
Tags: commuter rail, congress, economic stimulus, energy, environment, land use, president,NARP Reaches Out at Green Festival
Friday, October 16, 2009
As part of our ongoing effort to spread the word about our work and its timeliness to receptive audiences, NARP exhibited a booth at what is billed as “the nation’s premier sustainability event.” The Green Festival, now in its seventh year in four US cities, was held October 10th and 11th at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. Thousands were in attendance over the course of the exposition, which featured over 350 exhibitors, primarily vendors of a variety of Earth-friendly products.
NARP’s booth featured large posters showing how unsustainable the US transportation system is, proclaiming trains’ environmental benefits, and giving reasons for becoming a member of the Association. Copies of our brochures and the August/September issue of our newsletter were on hand and were well-received. Eleven NARP members from the Washington area volunteered to staff the booth. Each enjoyed the chance to talk to others about passenger trains and why more of them are needed, and partook of the Festival’s exciting atmosphere. Twelve passers-by signed up for membership, while a host of others said they would join online.
While the Green Festival was a high-caliber event with a significant price tag, there are festivals and fairs in almost every community in the country that welcome nonprofits to host a table, tent or booth either free or at low cost. We encourage those of you who would like to improve NARP’s publicity and boost membership to participate in these kinds of events. Our staff will help you get prepared, answer your questions, and send you materials to display and hand out.
Spending an afternoon sharing with others the reasons why you are committed to bringing more and better passenger trains to the US is both fun and satisfying. Small organizations get bigger primarily through word-of-mouth. Anything you can do in your spare time to advance our cause is greatly appreciated.
Click “Read More” to see a few photos of NARP’s Green Festival volunteers and our display.
—Malcolm Kenton
Posted by Malcolm Kenton
Tags: activism, advocacy, booth, display, environment, festival, green, membership, outreach, sustainability, table, volunteers,Young Train Supporters Make Waves in Montana
Monday, May 17, 2010
Demonstrated support from those who would benefit from a government action is an essential ingredient in any advocacy campaign. In the case of our campaign—along with other like-minded organizations—to expand the national passenger train network, we can all learn from the example being set by students at the University of Montana in Missoula, who have held many rallies and have otherwise vociferously pushed for the reinstatement of Amtrak’s North Coast Hiawatha. This train plied the then-Northern Pacific (now BNSF) main line through southern Montana and North Dakota until 1979, as a complement to the Empire Builder, with stops at Helena, Bozeman, Missoula and other locales. Under Congressional mandate, Amtrak studied [PDF] the impact its revival would have on ridership, revenue and costs.
The students—with the assistance of the student government and the Montana Public Interest Research Group (MontPIRG)—held a well-attended rally in mid-March that was covered by the local CBS affiliate TV station:
They have gathered signatures on a petition to state and federal leaders to find the funding to bring the train back as quickly as possible. The cause has already won the support of both Montana Senators, particularly Sen. Jon Tester (D), and of the state’s at-large Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), who appeared at NARP’s Capitol Hill Reception in late April. During meetings with NARP Council members, staff members for North Dakota’s Congressional delegation also expressed support for the route. NARP is working with their offices to make sure that funding for the route is included in the fiscal 2011 spending bill.
Not only is the student activism an effective example for other Route Support Teams to follow, it is also shows how young people are shaping our future for the better—by working for more convenient, affordable, enjoyable and sustainable transportation choices—thereby leaving America better prepared to meet our 21st-century energy, environmental and mobility challenges.
—Malcolm Kenton
Posted by Malcolm Kenton
Tags: amtrak, energy, environment, media, missoula, montana, north coast hiawatha, restoration, students, television, trains, university, young people,Misdirected Priorities
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
The New York Times reminds us of the extent to which oil extraction is one of America’s most heavily-subsidized activities. Imagine how much the quality of our lives and our environment would improve if these perverse subsidies were eliminated and part of the savings redirected to investments in an expanded network of modern passenger trains.
—Malcolm Kenton
Posted by Malcolm Kenton
Tags: deepwater horizon, energy, environment, oil subsidies, petroleum, priorities, transportation,©2010 National Association of Railroad Passengers | » NARP website
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